NRF calls for new round of stimulus checks    

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 10/16/2008 1:51:00 PM

Washington – The National Retail Federation called on Congress to hold a lame duck session immediately following the Nov.4 general election for the purpose of creating a new consumer stimulus package.

“Increased consumer spending would create demand throughout all sectors of the nation’s economy, from manufacturing to transportation to construction,” said Tracy Mullin, NRF president and ceo.

Mullin stated, “There is hard evidence that the first round of economic stimulus checks were used for good purposes: to pay down debt, to help fund ordinary household expenses, and to purchase necessities.”

The call for tax relief was in a letter the NRF sent yesterday to the leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has already said the House is mulling a lame duck session to consider economic stimulus legislation, the NRF noted, adding that the Senate is scheduled to return Nov. 17, but a stimulus package is not known to be on its agenda.